The state of work needs some work. Knowledge workers and business leaders are unfulfilled and disconnected from their workplace, unhappy with companies that prioritise profits over people, and consumed by jobs that demand more but are far less rewarding. Global disruption, economic pressures, and uneven access to technology are also feeding worker discontent.
In fact, HP’s third annual “Work Relationship Index” survey found that only 20% of knowledge workers characterise their relationship with work as healthy, down eight points from 2024. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of deskbound workers said workplace expectations have increased, which has contributed to feelings of being overburdened, undervalued, and underresourced, according to the survey.
But there is a silver lining in all the negativity, according to HP’s survey. Organisations are in direct control of 85% of the factors influencing employee satisfaction, which means they have the power to reshape work for the better.
HP identifies half a dozen key enablers for facilitating professional fulfillment, including recognition, goal clarity, balance, collaboration, focus, and flow. Among the more critical influences is technology, specifically providing access to artificial intelligence (AI) tools to simplify tasks and enhance the quality of work. This year’s “Work Relationship Index” found that 42% of the respondents who consider their relationship with work to be healthy are using AI tools daily.
Unlocking workforce potential
Why is technology, and more significantly AI, so important to nurturing a positive employee outlook? For one thing, employees have confidence that the right technology will improve work. AI in particular is viewed as helping increase efficiency, according to 30% of the knowledge workers and 58% of the business leaders responding to the survey.
AI and technology also serve as force multipliers for the other enablers of professional fulfillment, such as better collaboration and improved work/life balance. Providing a choice of tools helps boost employee optimism, drives productivity, and improves retention. Users feel empowered to leverage tools that best fit their working style, including for hybrid work. Businesses benefit by unlocking the full potential of their workforce.
Although technology and AI are proven productivity and employee satisfaction boosters, access to technology remains uneven across the workforce. One in three knowledge workers say they lack sufficient AI training, which leaves them ill prepared to fully leverage the technology to do a better job. Nearly half (42%) of the HP “Work Relationship Index” respondents said their company has yet to formalise a clear AI strategy — another disadvantage. Whereas business leaders (48%) and IT decision-makers (58%) said they are making significant efficiency gains thanks to continued use of AI, less than a third (30%) of the knowledge workers are enjoying those same benefits.
It’s time for organisations to bridge the gap and democratise technology and AI access to drive true workforce transformation. Making sure employees across all levels and roles have access to the right AI platforms, from software tools to AI PCs from AMD and HP, is crucial to unleashing the employees’ potential — as is providing both training and an overall AI strategy.
Embedding AI fluency across every level of the organisation and fostering reciprocal knowledge exchange between older workers and more tech- and AI-savvy Gen Z and Millennials will go a long way in raising the productivity and fulfillment of the collective enterprise.
Click here to learn how HP and its partner AMD can help set the stage for success.